COP CLEARED: Woman Police Officer Praised For Killing Gunmen Who Shot Partner

Prosecutors say a California police officer was justified in killing an armed man in a fatal shootout last year after her colleague had been shot down when he returned fire.

The footage which was obtained by Newsflash from the Orange County District Attorney’s Office, shows the final moments of the deadly encounter that occurred outside the La Habra Police Department in southern California, USA, on 6th August 2021.

It all began when a woman, who was not named, called the police when she noticed a dark vehicle tailgating her as she was driving home from work.

The emergency operator reportedly suggested that she drives to the La Habra Police Station, where she soon arrived and remained parked.

The suspect, who was following her, later identified as Matthew-Tuan Anh Tran, 22, reportedly parked right behind her.

Tran parked his vehicle, stepped out and attempted to enter the police station.

Officers Abigail Fox and Mark Milward soon arrived and confronted Tran.

Body-worn video shows that after a short discussion between Tran and the officers, he pulls out a handgun and fires two rounds at officer Milward.

Milward was struck in the bulletproof vest, which caused him to fall over on the ground.

It was at that moment that Officer Fox jumped in and fired at Tran five times, striking him at least one time in the head.

Paramedics later arrived at the scene and pronounced Tran dead.

Following investigations, the District Attorney’s Office released a statement Newsflash obtained in which it cleared officer Fox of any wrongdoings during last year's fatal incident.

The statement said: "Officer Fox was justified in believing that Tran posed a significant threat of death or serious physical injury to herself or others."

"This conclusion is based on the totality of the circumstances, but mainly based on the conduct of Tran in the moments leading up to him firing first."